STUDENTS TAKE STAND WITH SIT-IN

Dressed in business attire and sharing a common goal, students from three local colleges and universities gathered at the Capitol this week to demand answers in the boot camp death of Martin Lee Anderson.

Looking more like young professionals than students, dozens of demonstrators from Tallahassee Community College, Florida A&M; University and Florida State University staged a 34-hour sit-in at the governor's office.

Known as the Coalition for Martin Lee Anderson, the group had been planning the sit-in for weeks to demand arrests, apologies and the public release of Anderson's autopsy. Through an intricate high-tech network of e-mails, cell phones, personal computers and Internet blogs, more than 30 students were recruited.

"We don't have to be here, we don't have to make these sacrifices, but this is where we choose to be,' said Charlaine Loriston, 21, an FSU junior from Miami.

It was their presence that prompted Gov. Jeb Bush to finally call Anderson's parents -- 105 days after the youth was beaten by guards at a Panama City boot camp for juveniles.

"Justice needs to be served and there is no way it looks like it is going to get done unless the students here actually rise and take a stand," said Herneshia Sturlock, 19, an FSU communications student from West Palm Beach.

Some students have a family history of protesting.

Renard Allen's parents both marched for civil rights when they were students at FAMU, the only historically black public college in the state. Today, the 20-year-old from Altamonte Springs is a business major at FAMU.

Monique Gillum's brother Andrew -- a Tallahassee city commissioner -- was a leader in the 2000 student protest of Bush's push to end affirmative action in state university admissions.

"I hope to inspire others to take action," said Monique Gillum, 19, a political science student at FAMU.

Members of Florida's legislative Black Caucus worked in shifts to watch over the students during their overnight protest while several South Florida Democrats -- white and black -- provided food, water and money to order pizza. House Democratic Leader Chris Smith of Fort Lauderdale had chairs brought from his office.

"I think the students have accomplished a lot in bringing awareness to the issue," said Rep. Matthew Meadows, D-Lauderhill. "They have gotten an audience with the governor, which is sometimes difficult for us to get. We support the kids, they are carrying on the torch, and they are the future."

During the sit-in, a group of fourth-graders from Pace, Fla., visited the Capitol. FAMU Student Government Association President Ramon Alexander explained the sit-in to them and how important it was to fight for what they believed in.

"Standing up and fighting for justice, ensuring that this does not happen for my little brother, or my grandchild, it is worth making that sacrifice to stand up," said the 21-year-old from Tallahassee.

As three days of protest ended Friday with a rally at the Capitol, Phillip B. Agnew admitted he had never been part of something so big.

"The time is now. Why wait? If not me, who? If not now, when?" asked Agnew, FAMU student body vice president.

Stephanie Lambert can be reached at srlambert@sun-sentinel.com or 850-224-6214.

"I see a big social injustice. It affected me in a way that if I did not participate, I would regret it later and I just needed to see something done."

Cornell Hamilton, 19, Florida State University student from Davie

"I felt like it was time for us to make a move and time for use to make a change, and that's why I am here today. My parents taught me to stand up for a cause."

Guerline Ceed, 21 Florida State University student from Fort Lauderdale

"There's been a real lack of accountability from our state officials. We're here to make sure the governor and all those who want to become governor do not forget that we want justice served."